Documents taken for depression are also effective in treating generalized anxiety disorders, a major journal has revealed.
Antidepressants such as Prozac are already used to deal with the condition, but Canadian and Italian scientists have decided to analyze new evidence to assess the efficiency of drugs.
In a Cochrane journal, which analyzed data of more than 12,000 patients, the team found that those who took medication were 41% more likely to see a reduction in their symptoms, compared to a placebo group.
It is estimated that around 50 suffer from generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) – mainly women.
The most common symptom is the frequent stress or concern of aspects of daily life, but other signs include insomnia, concentration problems, stomach aches, heart palpitations, the feeling of weakness and depression.
The drugs were considered to be effective if those who took them reported a reduction of 50% of their scores of hamilton anxiety scales while taking the medication.
This system asks people with GAD to indicate to what extent they experience 14 revealing symptoms, such as insomnia and muscle contractions, on a zero -to -four scale.
Experts welcomed the results, supposed to be a “complete and long -awaited update on the efficiency of antidepressants” for GAD.
Professor Katharina Domschke, expert in psychiatry and psychotherapy at the University of Freiburg in Germany, said the results should increase patient confidence in the efficiency of pharmacological treatment of generalized anxiety disorder “.
Drugs taken for depression are also effective in treating generalized anxiety disorders, has revealed a major review
Researchers have examined studies that have tested a variety of antidepressants, including selective serotonin recovering inhibitors (ISRS), serotonin and norepinephrine recovering (SNRI), tricyclic antidepressants and specific drugs such as vilazodone and agomelatine.
The SSRIs have turned out to be around 15% more effective than SNRI, which include duloxetine and venlafaxine.
Some independent experts have warned that additional research is necessary to establish the long -term effects of drugs altering the mind on the brain.
Some antidepressants such as selective serotonin recovering inhibitors (ISRS) have been linked to long -term and even permanent sexual problems in previous studies.
Professor Peter Tyrer, expert in community psychiatry at Imperial College in London, said: “The results of this review are unequivocal – antidepressants are effective in the treatment of short -term anxiety.
“But by responding to these evidence, long -term implications must also be taken into account.
“Long -term treatment, as indicated in the journal, is often the norm, and it is increasingly worrying that patients have difficulty stopping antidepressants due to withdrawal problems.
“A brief resolution does not affect a remedy.
Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is a common mental health problem with around one in 50 estimated to do so, with women three times more likely to have it than men
The reviews of the journal come after the NHS data suggested on one in six people in England now take antidepressants.
The figures for health services for 2023/24 show a record of 8.7 million people in England, around 15% of the total population, are now on mood strengthening drugs – an increase of 26% compared to At eight years ago.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ISRS), a type of antidepressant, are the most commonly prescribed drugs for the GAD.
Examples of SSRI include citalopram, fluoxetine and sertraline, sometimes known as Cipramil, Prozac and Lustral names.
However, they were linked to sexual dysfunction in those who take them.
These NHS data show the number of British taking each type of antidepressant medication over the past eight years. The line with green triangles indicates the total number of patients
The NHS warned that side effects such as loss of libido and an orgasm, the number of lower sperm and erectile dysfunction “may persist” after having taken them – and patients have described having relations destroyed against their use.
However, this research is not clear, experts emphasizing such trends could be due to patients with depression that drugs are designed to attenuate, rather than the drug itself.
Most doctors and the NHS consider the use of SSRIs for depression, in particular persistent or serious cases, worth the sentence given the debilitating nature of the condition and the risk of damage and suicide.
It is believed that people with depression have low serotonin levels, although there is a scientific debate on this subject, and the SSRIs are increasing by increasing these levels.
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However, some experts suspect that drugs could cause too much serotonin to release, with people’s health consequences.
Psychiatrists advise patients concerned with the side effects of antidepressants to speak to their health professional of their options.
Clinicians can sometimes offer an alternative dose, a different drug or prescribe another medication to combat side effects.
They urge patients who take them not to leave without speaking to the health professional responsible for their care to ensure that they are sufficiently supported.
GAD treatment is generally made up of a combination of therapy and antidepressants.
The NHS says that feelings of anxiety are common and that most episodes are not GAD.
However, those who feel anxious most of the time and who see it have an impact on the aspects of their daily life should contact their general practitioner.